Harbor Seal

A harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is a species of seal found in coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of the most widespread species of pinniped and is known for its curious nature and spotted coat.

Harbor seals have a plump body with a short snout and a rounded head. Their coat can be a variety of colors, from a silver-gray to a dark brown, with a unique pattern of spots that is specific to each individual. They have short fore flippers and powerful hind flippers, which they use to propel themselves through the water.

Harbor seals are found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, and the Baltic and North Seas. They are carnivores and their diet consists of a wide variety of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.

Harbor seals are generally solitary, but they will gather in groups on rocky shores, sandbars, and mudflats to rest. When a harbor seal is not in the water, it is often seen in a unique resting pose, with its head and tail held in the air, a behavior known as "banana" or "bottlenecking."